Official Title

Summary:

The historical standard treatment for early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx
is radiation therapy. Some patients require chemotherapy with the radiation, and some
patients require surgery if the tumour or lymph nodes have not responded after radiation.
This study will compare radiation therapy with a new surgical treatment called transoral
robotic surgery (TORS). TORS is a new surgical approach using a robot to assist the surgeon
in removing the tumour, potentially with fewer side effects than older surgical techniques.